Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

backwards

 
 
/ˈbækwədz/ adverb (also backward)

Definition

DIRECTION towards the direction behind you: She took a couple of steps backwards. He fell backwards off the stool.
EARLIER towards an earlier time or an earlier stage of development: Let's start with your most recent job and work backwards.
OPPOSITE ORDER in the opposite order to what is usual: "Erehwon" is "nowhere" spelled backwards.
WRONG WAY (also UK back to front) with the part that is usually at the front at the back: You've got your skirt on backwards.
backwards and forwards UK (UK/US back and forth) in one direction then the opposite way and back again many times: I have to drive backwards and forwards between here and Ipswich every day.
(Definition of backwards adverb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“backwards” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

everything under the sun

everything that exists or is possible

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More